The grandiose of Dwarka was entirely awe inspiring for Abhijishya. It was beautiful and elegant. There were no unnecessary statues or excessive gold emblazoned sculptures brandished like Hastinapur. Everything was rather sophisticated. There were intricate carvings into the walls which looked like story narratives. Beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling every few meters for sufficient lighting.

"Come inside, putri. You'll get enough time to look around the palace later," Mata Devaki said.

Abhijishya blushed slightly at being caught gawking around. They were led inside a dining hall.

"You all must be tired from your journey. I think it would be better if you eat something first. Then you could depart for your arranged chambers to rest," Pitashree Vasudev said.

Abhijishya and Nakul smiled gratefully. All the men sat down at the table. Despite being hungry, she remained standing along with the ladies. Abhijishya felt shy all of a sudden. She also didn't want to seem audacious to Mata Devaki and Pitashree Vasudev.

"Areh, why are standing there? Come sit beside me. I know you haven't eaten anything since morning," Krishna said.

Abhijishya shook her head and laughed awkwardly. "I am not hungry. It's fine." Her stomach grumbled as if on cue. She blushed in embarrassment and willed the ground beneath to swallow her up.

Krishna chuckled. "Your stomach seems to have other ideas."

Abhijishya was torn between glaring at him and running away.

"Kanha, don't tease our sister," Baldau reprimanded. Krishna sent an apologetic look. He then said kindly," Won't you dine with us, sister?"

She didn't know why she was feeling so very flustered from everyone's easy acceptance. "I-umm," she stuttered.

Nakul looked at her in confusion. His Abhijishya was usually very confident and out spoken. She looked at him with nervousness clear in her eyes.

Revati put her hand on Abhijishya's shoulder and offered a comforting smile. Abhijishya sighed and decided to just speak her mind.

"Back in Hastinapur, once I sat down to dine along with all the Kuru Princes, Maharaj and Pitamaah. That time I couldn't understand Sanskirt so I am not sure what the Kauravs said but I am sure they thought I was purposefully disrespecting them or something. Later Mata Kunti said that in Aryavart, women always eat after men. I don't really understand why because hunger is hunger you know. But I guess as men here generally are the food earners and soldiers so it is more important to satisfy their hunger. Yea that must be it," Abhijishya nodded thoughtfully then panicked realising she skidded off topic a bit.

"Sorry, when I am nervous I generally tend to ramble. Not that I am nervous right now," she waved her hands then abruptly dropped them. "Uh- sorry, I didn't mean to wave my hands like that. I swear I am not like this most of the times. What I am trying to say is I don't want to seem impudent by sitting along with you all. Also Mata Devaki, Mata Rohini and Bhabishrees are serving food. I should help them. If I just sit down and not help, I'll feel bad."

Looking at the amused face of Gopal, Abhijishya burrowed her face in her hands. "I am totally making a fool of myself."

Vasudev understood that Abhijishya must be feeling very nervous on meeting them. "Putri Abhijishya has given an excellent suggestion. Let us all dine together." He addressed the das and dasis. "Make arrangements for the ladies."

Soon the adequate arrangements were made and everyone settled down. Abhijishya sat beside Nakul while the others took their places beside their husbands.

Food were brought in huge vessels. From rice, daal to puri sabji, lots of items were laid out. Dinner began. Abhijishya noticed Bhabishree Revati, Rukmini, Jambavati and Satyabhama were taking miniscule bites and realised she must have landed them in an uncomfortable situation. They must be feeling shy to eat in front of their father-in-law and brothers-in-law. Abhijishya also looked at Mata Devaki and Mata Rohini. They too were sitting with a little rice in their plates. They must be feeling uncomfortable to eat in front their son-in-law. She instantly felt guilty. She will have to apologise later.

"I hope you are enjoying the food, Jamaishree," Mata Devaki said with a smile.

"Yes, the food is delicious," Nakul smiled.

"Here, have some more puri. I have cooked this sabji with Rohinididi, have this too," she said and happily ladened Nakul's plate.

"Mata, please no more. As much as I like this food, I can only eat so much," Nakul said.

"Mata, look Behen Abhijishya is not eating properly," Krishna said.

"No no, I cannot eat anymore. If I eat one more puri, then I'll have to miss out on dessert," Abhijishya protested.

Devaki and Rohini laughed lightly.

Revati said,"Oh, so you too have quite the sweet tooth like our Kanha."

"Not that much. I mean I like mildly sweet dishes rather than intensely sweet ones," Abhijishya admitted.

"Then I hope you will like our special rasmalai and dahi," Satyabhama said. "Dasi, go bring the dessert."

The rasmalai was the best thing she had ever tasted in her life. If it wasn't for her stomach limit, she could happily keep on eating it her entirely life. Abhijishya told them that. Satyabhama looked very pleased.

Dinner was over and the table was cleared. Everyone stood up.

"Putri Abhijishya, I know your wedding happened in a rush so we couldn't be present there. If Krishna would have brought you to Dwarka earlier, then I would've adopted you by proper rituals. I know we cannot take the place of your late parents but we would like you to be our daughter by every means. After hearing so much about you from Krishna, I couldn't help but think you to be same as Subhadra. Now that you are married, I cannot adopt you but always remember you will always be one of us, a Yadav daughter," Pitashree Vasudev said sincerely.

Abhijishya was rendered speechless. Her eyes moistened. She went and touched his feet and uttered," Pitashree." She wasn't even aware up until this moment how much Pitashree Vasudev's acceptance meant to her.

Vasudev patted her head affectionately. "Kalyan ho, putri.

"Yes putri, you are like another daughter to us," Mata Rohini said. Abhijishya smiled.

"We would've arranged for a swayamvar for you but we are happy that you have chosen Nakul as your husband," Baldau said. "I didn't get the chance to talk to you before the wedding. I hope you understand that I am trusting you to take care of my sister, Nakul."

"Yes, Bhatashree Balram. I shall always cherish and care for Abhijishya," Nakul said. Baldau smiled.

"You must be tired now. Putri Rukmini will show you your chamber," Mata Devaki said. They wished everyone a good night and went towards the left wing of the palace.

Rukmini left them in their chamber. Abhijishya started taking off the jewellery and veil.

"Why were you so nervous today?" Nakul asked while taking off his crown.

Abhijishya faced him. "I guess I just wanted Gopal's family to like me. Then I became self conscious and sort of panicked a bit."

Nakul chuckled.

"Here I am sharing my troubles and you are laughing," she complained.

Nakul came in front of her and encircled her waist.

"I am laughing because you are overthinking unnecessarily. I don't understand how can anyone not love you. It was clear that Pitashree Vasudev, Mata Devaki and Mata Rohini adore you," Nakul said.

"You are biased," Abhijishya pouted. Nakul leaned down and kissed her chastely.

Abhijishya asked hesitantly," You really think they like me?"

"They do," he replied. Then he yawned. "Come on, let's go to bed. You look tired," Abhijishya said tugging him towards the bed.

Nakul followed voluntarily and collapsed ungracefully onto the mattress.

"I am a warrior. I do not need sleep," he muttered. Abhijishya stifled her laugh. "That is Arjun, darling. You on the otherhand need to sleep."

Nakul turned sideways towards her and said," I guess I do. How come you aren't tired?"

"Oh, I am tired too. Just thinking too much so mind is alert," she said.

Nakul tapped lightly on her forehead. "You think too much." and pulled her in his arms.

Abhijishya ran her fingers through his hair. "I guess I do," she said. Nakul fell asleep to Abhijishya's light humming and Abhijishya followed him to the realm of Nidra Devi soon after listening to his heartbeats.

================================

"SUCH ARROGANCE," boomed a voice.

"But-" she replied.

"YOU- the voice drowned out. She was floating under water. Her eyes blinked open to a sleeping giant. She curled up by his side. "Pi-"

Now she stood before a white swan. She was making a flower crown. "This is for you." Someone called the swan away.

"Why do they get Pa-"

"Why are you being unfair-"

"I do not fit here."

"Why-"

"SUCH ARROGANCE," boomed a voice.

Abhijishya woke up with a gasp. She sat up quickly and tried regulating her breathing to calm her racing heart. She had this particular dream before once after she got yelled at by her father. Long story short her result wasn't up to the mark.

The dream felt like a long forgotten memory. She suspected something happened when she was quite young. Her father did always have quite the temper. He was quick to anger and his wrath was explosive. As much as she loved him she would disagree on his disciplinary tactics. He never hit them. But yelling "stop crying or else I'll throw you out of the house" to a hysterically crying 6 yr old was not nice.

She still remembered standing outside in the scorching afternoon sun trying not to cry. It wasn't like he did that often. Just thrice in her 18 yr old life. Other two times were during winter. It sucked. She shook herself from the memories. Abhijishya always tried to not think about all that. Her father was a good person.

She looked at Nakul to find him sleeping peacefully. She smiled fondly and lightly caressed his hair. He furrowed his eyebrows but kept on sleeping.

Abhijishya got down from the bed; careful not to make any noise. She went towards the balcony. It was nearing the full moon so the night wasn't entire dark. She could hear the waves of the Ratnakara (Arabian Sea).

She wrapped the veil around her and stepped out of the room.

"Rajkumari, do you need something?"asked a dasi who noticed her walking down the corridor.

"No... actually could you perhaps show me the way to the sea? Pardon me if I am troubling you too much," Abhijishya said in an apologetic tone.

"No no, it is an honour to serve you. Please follow me," the dasi said.

They went out of the palace. Abhijishya glanced at the dasi walking ahead of her. She looked quite young.

"If you don't mind me asking, I would like to know your name," she said.

"My name is Charu, Rajkumari," the dasi said with her head bowed.

"How old are you Charu?"Abhijishya asked.

"Fifteen years, Rajkumari," she said.

Abhijishya remained quiet contemplating her next question.

"Why do you work as a dasi, Charu? You are so young," Abhijishya asked.

"Maa passed away. She was a dasi in the palace. Someone needed to fill her place, Rajkumari," Charu said.

"But why will you take your mother's place as a dasi? Does being a das or dasi extend to generations?" Abhijishya couldn't help but ask.

"My father loaned a lot of gold from Royal Treasurer Yadav Satrajit. He gambled away some and drank away the rest. He died of some disease which made his skin and eyes yellow. Maa sold whatever we had but still it wasn't enough. So to pay off the debt Maa served as dasi. Now that she is gone I must serve," she said bitterly. Then realising she was talking to Abhijishya, Charu quickly bowed her head and added,"Rajkumari."

Abhijishya didn't know what to say. The system was very clear but it was unfair on Charu and her mother.

"How many years do you need to serve?"she asked softly.

"Twenty three years, Rajkumari. But swami said it may be more or less depending upon the the- something money value up and down," Charu gestured with her hand moving up and down.

"Economy of Aryavart," Abhijishya replied.

"Yes that," Charu said with a grin. Then quickly bowed her head and said," Rajkumari."

They arrived near the beach. Soldiers were standing guard every few meters.

"We are here, Rajkumari," Charu said.

"Thank you, Charu. You may go now. Take some rest. Subh Ratri," Abhijishya smiled.

Charu gaped at her before stuttering a good night and turned to leave.

"Wait," Abhijishya said. Charu immediately turned back towards her.

"How much gold do you owe the Royal treasurer?"she asked.

Charu looked confused. "I do not know Rajkumari but it is a lot."

Abhijishya narrowed her eyes. That was suspicious.

"Okay, first thing tomorrow morning, you'll go ask the Royal treasurer the exact amount. Tell him to write it down in a piece of parchment and bring it to me, alright?" Abhijishya said.

"As you wish, Rajkumari," Charu did pranam and hurried away.

On second thought, Abhijishya said," Guard, please go after Charu and make sure she reaches her quarters safely. Keep an eye on her from a distance."

A nearby soldier bowed and left.

Abhijishya walked towards the waves and closed her eyes. The sea breeze was a cooling balm on her restless soul. Outwardly she looked serene but inwardly her thoughts were in chaos. The dream was the last thing on her mind.

She needed to find out more on the workings of this das system. If what Charu said was the extent of it then it was a huge problem. The das and dasis only had to trust the word of their swami. Any corrupt person could enslave generations under the pretence of unfulfilled debt. Was this the only reason of das and dasis? The sheer number of das and dasis were huge. She couldn't settle the dawning horror and disgust that rose within her.

Abhijishya tried to concentrate on the waves washing her feet rhythmically.

"What are you doing, Abhijishya?"asked the all too familiar voice.

Abhijishya didn't bother turning around.

"Sinking," she replied.

"Sinking?" Krishna asked.

"Yes. I am standing on sand so with every wave a little sand washes away from beneath my feet and I sink in a little," Abhijishya said. "It is rather relaxing."

Gopal came and stood beside her. "What troubles my dear sister?"

"I was pretending the waves were carrying one thought at a time along with the sand but it isn't exactly working now so I guess I'll tell you," Abhijishya said. She stepped out of the inch deep hole she had sunk in.

"Parihaar (Privacy)," Abhijishya said loudly. The nearby soldiers went out of hearing range.

"I heard from a fifteen year old girl that people serve as das or dasi to pay off their debts. She says she has to serve twenty three years minimum because her father gambled and drank away the money. The debt was passed onto her mother and now onto her. Her mother died who also worked as a dasi in this palace," Abhijishya said.

"And?" Gopal asked.

"And it is unfair to her mother. It is unfair to her. Also she has no idea how much money she actually owes; just that it is a lot. She just took the word of her swami," Abhijishya said bitterly.

Krishna listened to her calmly. "Life is unfair Abhijishya. Contrary to popular belief not everything is well balanced out and result of karma. It is sometimes the things that is bestowed upon us by others."

"I understand that it is part of a system to retain order in society but it is just so unfair," Abhijishya said.

"Society gives rights to a wife on her husband's property. Society gives rights to a son to inherit his father's property. The same goes for debt," Gopal informed her.

"But this is Dwarka. Can't you change something about this?" Abhijishya asked.

"I am not a King, dear sister," Gopal chuckled. "I can't really do anything. I can only suggest and give advice."

"Then advice me. How should I handle this problem?" Abhijishya asked almost in a pleading tone.

"First you need a stage. Then an enforcer who can see your point of view. Lastly, an influencer who will spread it around. You'll realise the rest when it is time," Gopal replied with a smile.

Abhijishya's eyes widened in realisation. "Indraprastha," she simply said.

Krishna nodded.

"Gopal, can I get Mata Kunti to accompany us to Indraprastha? I mean I read she didn't accompany the Pandavs," she asked tentatively.

"That depends on whether you'll be able to convince Maharaj Dhritarastra," Gopal said.

Abhijishya frowned. "It is wrong to separate a mother from her children."

Gopal simply looked at her thoughtfully. "It is. It is also wrong of a mother to abandon her child."

"Karna," she whispered. "It is so unfair. Fate has been so cruel to him, Gopal. Can't I just reveal everything about his parentage to him and the Pandavs? Then perhaps he would side with the Pandavs and Mata Kunti would be spared the pair of watching her two sons trying to kill each other," she said.

Gopal shook his head and smiled sadly. "It is not your secret to divulge. Only Bua Kunti has the right to reveal everything. If she shares her secret with you then only you should try convincing her to divulge the secret. It has to be her because it is her honour on the line. The society will crush her character and honour into dust. There is also the chance Karna would still side with cousin Duryadhan."

Abhijishya bowed her head and nodded. She understood very well what Gopal was talking about. The Pandavs will never oppose their eldest brother no matter what. It made her sick that she was thinking of this in terms of chess.

Sensing her turmoil, Gopal said," Always remember Abhijishya, we cannot choose for others when they are conscious and capable of making choices. It is a sin to do so."

"It is so unfair," she whispered.

Gopal caressed her head and looked melancholy," Life usually is." He left Abhijishya to her thoughts.

Abhijishya closed her eyes and wondered which hellfire could nullify her curse of foreknowledge.

A.N. - Hello everyone! Here is your much awaited update. Thank you so much for your well wishes for my exam. I gave it on 25th. It went alright I guess.

I'll update when I can because busy month ahead. On top of that I have to prepare for an interview too.

Tell me what do you think of this chapter.

Please do vote and comment.

Until the next time,

Byeee ;")